Every programmer has a primary language that he works with most of the time and is therefore very familiar with. But there are also languages that you kinda know, in the sense that you used to know them really well in the past, but hasn't used in a while, or that you use them infrequently and therefore are not as immersed in them as you are in your primary language. You can definitely bring yourself to be productive with these languages, but you might need to re-familiarize yourself a little, look up a few syntax rules, and such. My question is- will you write these languages in your CV as languages you "know"?

6 Answers
6

It shows that you are more than a "one trick pony" and have skills beyond those required for your current (and prospective job). It helps highlight the experience you have and shows that you can adapt to new technologies etc. as the need arises.

You should indicate how long ago it was you last used that language, how long you had been using it and what you were doing with it. In much the same way as you indicate how long you've been using your current skill set and what you've been doing with that.

I should clarify this a bit I think. I would still mention in the area where I talk about that job that it involved that technology. I just wouldn't list that technology in the "proficiencies" section that most people have at the top of their CVs.
–
RationalGeekOct 6 '10 at 15:48

I wouldn't just include a laundry list of languages. These should be incorporated into the descriptions of the projects that you have worked on, along with any other technologies (databases, frameworks, etc.). As a hiring manager I want to know what you did with these languages, not just a claim that you know them.

I would put them on my CV with the obvious caveat that I feel comfortable answering any questions about it. I think the key is that you still feel you know it well enough now to discuss and answer questions about it. It can show that you are well rounded, can learn new things, and are not only stuck in what language.